By Georgia Mae Evans
After listening to his album,┬áNotes from an Island, on repeat the week leading up to Blair DunlopÔÇÖs gig, I had high hopes for the performance. If youÔÇÖre after an evening filled with excellently executed British folk, you need a ticket for this tour; I was blown away┬áby┬áthe most intricate melodies, tongue in cheek lyrics and raw emotion with which the album was laced.
The atmosphere in the renovated chapel, Acapella Studios, was not bustling or electric like youÔÇÖd expect usually at a gig. The foyer containing a small fire oven cooking the best pizza in the UK, according to BlairÔÇÖs band,┬áwas cosy and intimate;┬áslowly filling up┬áwith┬áfolk and wine lovers alike. The stage was a complete mimic of my great-nanÔÇÖs living room, complete with a shaggy mosaic rug and an old, oversized lampshade.
Award-winning songwriter Jack CartyÔÇÖs voice soothed the audience as we settled in our pews. Accompanied by his acoustic guitar,┬áJackÔÇÖs performance of his new album,┬áHospital Hill, tells of┬ágrowing up down under┬áand┬áa touring musicianÔÇÖs┬áinevitable sense of loneliness.┬áI canÔÇÖt decide what most┬áIÔÇÖm most┬áin awe of; his falsetto,┬ásong writing or ability to play the guitar and harmonica simultaneously.
After a short break, Jack┬ágraced the stage for a second time to accompany┬áBlair and drummer Fred, this time carrying a bass guitar.┬áNot only is┬áNotes from an Island┬áa captivating listen, containing political references and incorporating themes of isolation that are mirrored in BlairÔÇÖs personal life, but it is also thought-provoking. IÔÇÖm sure I speak for the masses when I say that I left feeling as though I got an┬áinsight into BlairÔÇÖs character, personality and journey┬áthrough his performance.
Without sounding clich├®, BlairÔÇÖs performance of the record felt much like being on an emotional rollercoaster; touching on colonialism, love and the rearrangement of furniture.┬áÔÇ£Spices from The EastÔÇØ┬áwas a personal favourite of the evening; exposing the harsh truth of our colonial past through a story of cooking with your partner. This showcased BlairÔÇÖs ability to tell a mundane story in the most extraordinary way.┬áÔÇ£Within My CitadelÔÇØ┬áexploits BlairÔÇÖs vocal range, featuring soft high notes and riffs, not to mention his incredible technique. Blair oozes musicality, in between songs he tuned and re-tuned his acoustic guitar by ear whilst chatting to the audience, before making it sing through finger picking. The audience were completely encapsulated by BlairÔÇÖs story and persona, a testimony to the natural stage-presence and control that he bears with ease.
Put simply, Notes From an Island is a soul-stirring story of heartbreak, homelessness and the isolating consequences of Brexit wrapped in stunning three-part harmonies and carefully executed harmonics.